We know that Gloucestershire is special. What makes our Police and Crime Plan unique, is that it has mobilised entire communities to help themselves.
Through the Commissioner’s Fund, PCC Martin Surl is able to fund services that will directly help to achieve our core targets. Not everything has to be delivered by or through the police and involving the community has had a real impact here in Gloucestershire.
Established by PCC Martin Surl in 2012, the Commissioner’s Fund supports crime reduction and community safety initiatives in Gloucestershire. Martin allocates 1% of the overall policing budget to the Fund, to support county-based projects that deliver one or more of our priorities.
Since 2012 grants have been awarded to hundreds of community and voluntary organisations, including 470 local projects working to break the cycle of crime.
“Quite simply, I believe a solution to a problem, put forward by people who live with that problem every day, has more chance of success than one imposed on them from outside. That is why I am supporting 110 local organisations and 470 projects that are reducing crime and anti-social behaviour – because I want us all to have a stake in making Gloucestershire an even better place to live and work.” Gloucestershire PCC Martin Surl
Applying for grants
The Commissioner’s Fund gives out multiple grants equating to over £1 million every year. Through a robust process, the OPCC commissioning team considers applications made by charities and other organisations. The application process ensures that:
- projects support at least one of the six priorities or one of the two commitments that make up the Police and Crime Plan
- we support the right people to act as advocates for their communities or areas
- applicants are best placed to understand what is required to help their project(s) make a real difference
- there is a benefit to the community that meets the requirements of the Police and Crime Plan
Community fund
On average around £1m a year is added to this fund. Grants are available for community groups and organisations (public and voluntary) developing crime reduction and community safety supporting our six priorities. The fund opens once a year and is advertised widely.
Priority leads fund
This is a fund available through the priority leads across the four years of the PCC term of office. Each priority lead writes a delivery plan every year and within the plan there will be particular resources and projects which will be identified to support the Police and Crime plan.
Ministry of Justice fund
The MoJ has allocated funding to commission victim services in the county that offer; support for victims of crime; sevices for victims of sexual violence; support services for victims of domestic violence; restorative justice; and building the capacity and capability of the voluntary and community sector.
Speed Enforcement Camera System (SPECS) fund
Financial penalties received from motorists who have exceeded the speed limit in roadwork schemes on the M5 motorway, directly contribute to this fund, which supports road safety initiatives in Gloucestershire.